Washington
First light looks cleanest — 3-4ft on W swell at 11s with gentle SSE breeze.
First light looks cleanest — 3-4ft on W swell at 11s with gentle SSE breeze.
Best window·Thursday 10AM–1PM·3-4ft·Fair - Good
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Cape Flattery, Washington. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.
Thu, Sep 3: 3–4ft, 11s period, rated Poor - Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 3-4ft on W swell at 11s with light SSE winds. Conditions go downhill through the afternoon.
Fri, Sep 4: 1–2ft, 9s period, rated Poor. Dawn patrol is the move — 1-2ft on WNW swell at 9s with barely a breath of wind. Things get a bit scrappier as the day goes on.
Sat, Sep 5: 1–2ft, 9s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly poor with gentle ENE breeze.
Sun, Sep 6: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with 8mph ENE winds.
Mon, Sep 7: 1–2ft, 11s period, rated Poor. Dawn patrol is the move — 1-2ft on WNW swell at 8s with light winds out of the SSW. Things get a bit scrappier as the day goes on.
Two days at a glance. Swipe for later hours.Five days at a glance. Drag for later hours.
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Check Cape Flattery from the lineup
Forecasts, surf alerts, and live conditions in the Swell Intel iPhone app.
Cape Flattery sits at the extreme northwestern tip of Washington state, the most northwesterly point of the contiguous United States, where the Strait of Juan de Fuca meets the open Pacific Ocean. Powerful, raw swells generated across the vast North Pacific arrive here largely unfiltered, producing heavy, unpredictable waves that break over rugged rocky shelves and reef formations. The remote wilderness setting within the Makah Reservation means this spot rewards only the most committed and experienced surfers willing to make the journey to one of the most isolated surf locations in Washington.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Cape Flattery is 3-4ft with a 10.4s swell period. Wind is SSE at 3mph. Conditions are rated Fair - Good. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Cape Flattery is 3-4ft, produced by a 8ft W primary swell at 10s, a 4.6ft S secondary swell at 8s, a 1.3ft SSW tertiary swell at 13s. Breaking wave height is the actual rideable wave size at the shore — calculated from offshore swell data using this spot's coastal bathymetry — not the raw buoy reading.
Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf Cape Flattery is Thursday from 10 AM to 1 PM with 3ft waves, a 10.4s swell period, and conditions rated Fair - Good. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Cape Flattery works best with a W swell and E winds. Offshore winds groom the face of the wave, while onshore winds turn it sloppy. Cross-offshore conditions usually produce the cleanest shape.
Tide plays a big role at Cape Flattery. Mid tide works for most beach breaks, while reef and point breaks often prefer higher or lower stages. Use the tide chart above to line up your session with the swell peak.
Cape Flattery is a point with a rock bottom, suited to expert surfers. Cape Flattery sits at the extreme northwestern tip of Washington state, the most northwesterly point of the contiguous United States, where the Strait of Juan de Fuca meets the open Pacific Ocean. Powerful, raw swells generated across the vast North Pacific arrive here largely unfiltered, producing heavy, unpredictable waves that break over rugged rocky shelves and reef formations. The remote wilderness setting within the Makah Reservation means this spot rewards only the most committed and experienced surfers willing to make the journey to one of the most isolated surf locations in Washington.
The prime season at Cape Flattery is fall, when swell direction, wind patterns, and water temps line up most consistently. Outside the peak season you can still score, but you'll need to watch the forecast closely for the right windows.
Common hazards at Cape Flattery include rocks, strong currents, cold water, remote location, limited access, large surf, kelp, wildlife, restricted tribal land access. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Cape Flattery forecast uses NOAA GFS and other weather models combined with spot-specific bathymetry to calculate breaking wave heights. Short-range (1-3 day) forecasts are most reliable; extended forecasts show general trends. We also verify our offshore swell predictions against NOAA buoy measurements daily — see our accuracy page for those swell-verification metrics (buoys measure open-water swell, not breaking surf size).
